Self-lubricating alloy



Patented June 26, 1951 OFFICE SELF-LUBRICATING ALLOY Paul E. Luther, Olean, N. Y.

No Drawing. Application December 27, 1948, Serial No. 67,551

3 Claims.

This invention relates generally to alloys, but more particularly to a copper base alloy having self-lubricating characteristics and intended for use in the making of bearings and the like.

It has for one of its objects to provide an alloy of this character which is so constituted that it is self-lubricating and where used as a bearing, for instance, does require the use of oil or other lubricants.

Another object of the invention is to provide a self-lubricating metallic alloy of such physical properties and characteristics as to be effective in use at extremely high or extremely low temperatures and which, while having a maximum torque or tensile strength, has a minimum of wear and a low frictional value.

This application is a continuation-in-part' of my, application Serial No. 594,365, filed. May 17, 1945, now abandoned.

My self-lubricating bronze, as I have termed it, is particularly adapted for use in the making of bearings, gears and other products which normally require lubricationin their operation. This improved copper alloy has been subjected to various laboratory and actual operating tests, such as for wear, torque, pressure, etc., as Well asunder high and low temperature conditions, and has been found to meet those physical properties and characterics essential to and required of a self-lubricating metal or one which does not require oil or other lubricants under operating conditions.

The castings produced from this self-lubricating bronze are readily machinable and have a fine, satin-like surface structure, as well as a distinctive feel of hardness and smoothness. Bearings made from this alloy operate with equal efficiency in extreme high or extreme low temperatures without causing loss of their self-lubricating and other characteristics, and they are not affected by steam or moisture and will not sweat.

This self-lubricating bronze is composed predominantly of copper, lead, tin and German silver, the latter being preferably that known as 20% nickel German silver, with materially less percentages of phosphorus copper (15% phosphorus) and antimony, and a flux of a particular ingredient content for promoting the fusion of the metallic content of the molten mass and for imparting to it the characteristic of rendering the resulting alloy self-lubricating. The metallic elements are melted in a crucible or. the like to provide a molten mass of about 100 pounds in accordance with standard foundry practice, after which the flux is added and pulled into the molten metal to uniformly permeate it.

The preferred composition of my self-lubricating bronze is approximately 67 per cent by weight of copper, 16 per cent by weight of lead,

11 per cent by weight of tin, 6 per cent by weight of German silver, .025 per cent by weight of antimony, and .025 per cent by weight of phosphorus copper. The flux employed preferably consists of 3 ounces of borax, 2 ounces of yellow soap, A ounce of sulphur, and a fatty substance, for example, a slab of butter of approximately 1 /g ounces spread on a combustible carrier which may be in the form of a slice of bread. This carrier is burned and consumed in the molten metal and during such time the butter is allowed to be absorbed by the molten metal and become a self-contained or homogeneous part of it.

I claim as my invention:

1. A self-lubricating metallic alloy, consisting of approximately 67 per cent by weight of copper, 16 per cent by weight of lead, 11 per cent by weight of tin, 6 per cent by weight of German silver (20% nickel), .025 per cent by weight each of antimony and phosphorus copper (15% phosphorus), and a flux composed of approximately 3 ounces of borax, 2 ounces of yellow soap, ounce of sulphur, and 1% ounces of a fatty substance.

2. A self-lubricating metallic alloy, consisting of approximately 67 per cent by weight of copper, 16 per cent by weight of lead, 11 per cent by weight of tin, 6 per cent by weight of German silver (20% nickel), .025 per cent by weight each of antimony and phosphorus copper (15% phosphorus, and a flux composed of approximately 3 ounces of borax, 2 ounces of yellow soap, A ounce of sulphur, and 1 ounces of butter.

3. A self-lubricating bearing metal, comprising an alloy composed of approximately 16 per cent by weight of lead, 11 percent by weight of tin, 6 percent by weight of German silver (20% nickel), .025 percent by weight each of antimony and phosphorus copper (15% phosphorus), and the balance copper, and a flux including a small percentage by weight of butter introduced into these metals while in a molten state through the medium of a combustible carrier.

PAUL E. LUTHER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,177,407 Gilson Mar. 28, 1916 1,653,088 De la Concha Dec. 20, 1927 1,738,163 Williams Dec. 3, 1929 1,764,094 Carrey June 17, 1930 1,959,775 Wilharm May 22, 1934 OTHER REFERENCES Metals and Alloys, 4th ed., published by the Louis Cassier Co., Ltd., London, 1941, pages 66 a d 08. 

1. A SELF-LUBRICATING METALLIC ALLOY, CONSISTING OF APPROXIMATELY 67 PER CENT BY WEIGHT OF COPPER, 16 PER CENT BY WEIGHT OF LEAD, 11 PER CENT BY WEIGHT OF TIN, 6 PER CENT BY WEIGHT OF GERMAN SILVER (20% NICKEL). 025 PER CENT BY WEIGHT EACH OF ANTIMONY AND A FLUX COMPOSED OF APPROXIMATELY PHORUS), AND A FLUX COMPOSED OF APPROXIMATELY 3 OUNCES OF BORAX, 2 OUNCES OF YELLOW SOAP, 1/4 OUNCES OF SULPHUR, AND 1 1/2 OUNCES OF A FATTY SUBSTANCE. 